Fans of the New York Yankees expected general manager Brian Cashman to resolve the third base position by pursuing Japanese star Teruaki Sato. He just won the Triple Crown in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers. Last season, he recorded a blistering .306 average alongside 39 home runs and 106 RBI. His .991 OPS shows elite offensive power that the Bronx crowd craves. But the team has serious doubts about his glove at the hot corner.
Current starter Ryan McMahon struggled in his first full year with the pinstripes. He hit a pedestrian .213 with only 11 home runs and 41 RBI. His defense was also shaky, posting a .960 fielding percentage with nine errors. The Yankees need a upgrade on both sides of the ball. Sato looks like the answer for the bat, but the glove might be a problem. Jack Curry of the YES Network reported that the front office has some pause about his ability to play third base at the major league level.
Defensive Worries Block the Deal
The hesitation from the front office could kill the deal for Sato. Jack Curry noted explicitly that the offense is elite and highlighted his status as a Triple Crown winner in Japan. Yet Curry noted there are a lot of strikeouts and not a lot of walks. He added that he would not envision that he ends up being the answer for the Yankees at third. This view suggests the Yankees might pass on a great hitter if the defense fails. The risk of a weak infield is too high for a team with 27 rings.
If the Sato deal dies, the Yankees must look elsewhere for help. The trade market offers better options for a player who can field and hit. Fans would love to see the team acquire Issac Paredes from the Houston Astros. Another strong option is Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung. Jung has the skills to handle the position and provide solid run production. Moving to the trade market is the next logical step for Cashman.
Rangers Distraction Creates an Opening
There is a major complication in trying to trade for Josh Jung. The Texas Rangers are currently distracted by a high-stakes pursuit of Japanese high school pitcher Shoki Oda. Texas is in a race with the Yankees, Dodgers, and Phillies to sign the 18-year-old. Oda boasts a fastball that hits at least 97 mph. On the first day he began meeting with MLB teams, a delegation of eight Rangers officials convened with him this week.
Shoki Oda intends to meet with 12 MLB teams over the next two weeks. The international signing period does not start until Jan. 15. Prior to the December 1 expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Rangers probably do not have enough international signing bonus pool funds left to complete a contract with Oda. This financial squeeze could force Texas to trade a key asset like Josh Jung to clear space or raise funds.
The Path Forward for New York
The Yankees face a complex puzzle with limited time to solve it. They want a third baseman who can hit and field, but Sato’s defense is in question. The Rangers are busy chasing a young pitcher and might need to sell high on their established third baseman. This situation could give Brian Cashman a unique chance to make a move. The team must act fast before the window closes.
So far, meetings between Shoki Oda and the Rangers, Phillies, and Mets have occurred. Over the next few weeks, roughly 8 to 9 additional franchises, such as the Dodgers and Yankees, are expected to join. The Yankees need to decide if they wait for the trade market or join the hunt for the Japanese prospect. The next few weeks will define the infield for the upcoming season. The international signing period starts on Jan. 15.
